My husband plays hockey, and last night I was at his game when one of his teammates had a hard fall onto the ice. There were only a few of us in the stands watching, and I heard one of the players going to the opposing team's side asking if anyone was an EMT or a doctor. No one seemed to have any idea what to do and no one had medical training, so I jumped up and walked toward the ice.
My husband saw me walk up, and motioned for me to come on the ice. The ref wouldn't let me on the ice, but the player was able to get up by himself and come sit on the bench. I took his helmet off and did a neuro check on him and asked him what hurt. He never loss consciousness and his neuro check was fine, but was feeling dizzy, so I told his girlfriend to take him to the hospital down the street to get checked out.
It was kind of amazing how calm I was and how my learning in class became instinctive when the player sat down. It really felt good to be an asset and know what to do in those types of situations. Though, I keep replaying the situation again in my mind and wondering if I should have asked more questions or done things a little differently, but I know I did the priority items correctly.
I'm now re-considering this whole trauma nursing thing. :)
